This report from the field discusses a new approach taken to the co-evolution of teaching excellence and evidence-based practice in the context of learning development in a Technological University in Ireland. It explores supporting faculty in their exploration of pedagogic inquiry and teaching excellence and how this can co-evolve to generate…

This paper introduces the Teachers' Research Exchange (T-REX), an online community of practice that is currently being deployed on a pilot basis nationwide in Ireland as a response to the "research-practice gap". The system includes collaborative, educational, and technical components. The technical aspect is the social networking and…

The Centre for Applied Language Studies (CALS), founded in 1997, brings together researchers and postgraduate students from several disciplines in language studies, and is structured in three research clusters: New learning environments; Discourse, society and identity; and Plurilingualism and language policy. There is a certain amount of…

The role of universities is changing. In the last century the primary focus of universities was on education and research, with the key goals of creating and diffusing information and knowledge. A third and equally important role is now emerging, with its accompanying expectations and responsibilities -- that of value creation. "Value"…

Despite several decades of research into the teaching and learning of Science/Chemistry, at both secondary and tertiary level, it has had relatively little impact on practice. In many countries interest in studying Science at school and university is falling, and there is concern over falling numbers and falling standards. There is a changing…

Examines reasons why bonds between higher education and industry must be strengthened in Ireland, indicating that competitiveness and unemployment in Ireland require it, that research and development (R&D) resources of universities can be the lifeblood for many future developments for manufacturing companies, and that Ireland lags behind other…

Over the last two decades, Ireland has proactively marketed its educated workforce, its favourable corporate tax rates, membership of the European common market, and other advantages, to multinational technology corporations. The resulting foreign direct investment in high-tech manufacturing operations has driven a booming Irish economy that has…

This document reports the proceedings of a research forum on vocational training. Following an introduction that outlines the course of the meetings, the following 13 papers are included in the proceedings: "Report by the National Employment Office (ONEM)" (Belgium); "Training Research and Development" (National Manpower…

Eleven working papers are provided from a meeting to enable national training research and development organizations to present their current and future research and development priorities and exchange information and experience on projects of mutual concern. They cover a wide range of subjects in 11 of the 12 European Community Member States, but…

Ways that university-industry networks begin and then operate are discussed, based on 14 country reports. The various types of collaborative networks are considered, with particular focus on networks and industrial development. New forms of university-industry relations are also categorized by the function that they are intended to fulfill:…